‘So do you think the wedding’s off? He thinks she’s nuts, she thinks he’s a bastard who deliberately didn’t listen to her. Not very well suited, are they?’
‘Not a match made in heaven, no.’ Jenna sighed. ‘I’m rather hoping the next entry will tell us she decided to go back home after all. But then, that leaves us with our mystery body in the cellar, and us none the wiser.’
‘Perhaps it’s better not to know,’ said Jason. ‘Not as if we can do anything about it, is it?’
‘No. True. Poor Frances.’
‘Come on. One more page.’
March 10th
My wedding day at last! Though why I say at last, I cannot tell, for our engagement has been a brief affair. David saw no cause to wait and neither did I. I could only wish for a more pleasant day – we have blustering gales and showers of hail. Thankfully my trip to the church will be made in a closed carriage.
My parents arrived last night, with Mary. I had hoped the girls might make a friend of her, but they have kept to their rooms and the nursery, refusing to even come down to the drawing room to make the acquaintance of their soon-to-be relatives. David promises that he will send them to school once we are wed. I should not look forward to it so, but I do.
I had some high words with Mama when we were able to find some time to ourselves – I was able to assure her most forcibly that there is no shameful reason for my precipitate marriage. It was simply Harville’s wish.
‘He is a great catch,’ she said, but there was some doubt underlying her words.
‘But you do not approve?’
‘Oh, not at all, how could I disapprove of your making such a fine future out of such poor material? You will be comfortable for the rest of your days, my dear.’
Still that doubt plagued her tone. I pressed her further.
‘Does he love you, do you think, Fan?’ she said at last.
‘He is sincere in his affections, I am sure,’ I replied, as hotly as I could.
‘His daughters . . . You say they are difficult?’
I sighed.
‘Difficult indeed. But Lord Harville knows that I have tried my best with them, and he promises me they will be sent away to school.’
‘I could never send Mary away, especially so young. The younger one is not yet nine, I believe.’
‘It is different for people in society, Mama.’
‘I know that. I suppose your own children, especially if they are sons, will grow up far from you.’
I did not care to think of it.
‘We will not cross that bridge before we come to it,’ I said, and then the men entered from the dining room, having smoked and drunk their fill.
I wish she had not voiced her doubts about David’s strength of affection for me. It has planted the seed in my own mind, and I slept but poorly. I shall be a haunted-looking bride, with dark circled eyes and dull skin. David may change his mind at the altar, and then we are all back where we began – my family, penniless, with no prospects of improvement.
But I must try to work wonders, with Mama’s help and Mary’s probable hindrance! Eliza, the maid, has been told to assist us, but I do not want her sly, sullen face anywhere near me on this morning of mornings, and I sent her off to see to the girls.
The next time I write in this book, I shall be a married woman!
‘I think her mum’s got it right,’ said Jason. ‘He doesn’t love her, just wants more kids, and by more kids I mean a boy.’
‘I agree. Poor Frances – she knows it too, although she doesn’t want to admit it. I suppose all the business of the lock-in was never mentioned again? She makes no reference to it at all. Though Harville has agreed to send the girls away as some kind of compensation, I suppose.’
‘He wants his boys. He’s got no use for the girls any more.’
‘Honestly, how did they live with themselves?’